martin luther king jr., one man who not only witnessed it but walked away with a piece of it as well. >> we hold these to be self-evident that all men are created equal. >> it took place right here in this designated spot. as i look back now, i can feel a little nervousness inside my body, a little tremor because i certainly do it a lot differently than i did then. >> reporter: 50 years ago, he was a former college basketball star, who was a last-minute volunteer, had a coveted spot during the podium during martin luther king jr.'s speech. >> how far away from dr. king were you standing? >> i was to left probably seven or eight security people away. >> reporter: but george's story really begins with what happens after the speech. >> thank goth almighty. we are free at last. >>. >> reporter: the place was going berserk. what did you do? >> people were starting to stand. he was just folding the paper. i said dr. king can i have that copy of the speech? >> reporter: did he hesitate? >> he turned and handed it to me. just as he did, a rabbi on the other side came up to congratulate him an